Spring? Is that you?

There have been glimpses of spring here in the twin cities the last couple of weeks and we have taken full advantage of every ray of sunshine, balmy breeze, and temperature above 45 degrees.

Last week, Olive thought taking her doll stroller for a walk would be a good plan, so off we went:

Olive always wants to take breaks along the way:

Helping get rid of the last of the snow:

And the first sandbox session of the season:

Video and interview (yeah, good luck following it):

Yo Gabba Gabba!

When we heard Yo Gabba Gabba was doing a Live tour, we knew we had to take Olive. She's been a big fan for most of her life. Sam and I were trying to remember how we/she first saw it but neither of us really know! Our first introduction may have been this Elijah Wood clip.

Heading out, with Brobee and Foofa in tow:

In her seat, ready for the show to start:

Still ready:

Here it comes:

Sam wearing DJ Lance glasses. He wore them the entire time:

In house Gabba band, The Aquabats performed (the creator of the show is in the band):

Intermission ice cream break:

A big highlight was Biz Markie. You may remember from this post that Olive has always been a fan of beat boxing:

Olive giving it her best try:

And more Biz:

Our Dancey Dance friend was local celebrity, Slug (of Atmosphere), so that was fun, too.

Happy girl heading home:

And when we got home, what would be better than putting on Gabba pajamas, cuddling Gabba guys, and reading a Gabba book before bed?:

A perfect ending to the perfect day (for a 3 year old).

Double O's

A few weeks ago Olive was happy to take Oscar to the Children's Museum for his first visit ever! She showed him all her favorite parts and was a good little tour guide.

Olive did some dressing up:

Oscar explored:

Olive changed again:

Dug in a dinosaur bone exhibit:

And the dancing room, how could we have missed that? Olive's favorite:

I think Oscar enjoyed it, too. Something about that Independent Woman song really gets the toddlers dancing:

I'm certain these two cousins will have many Children's Museum trips together in the future.

Goofball girl

Olive and I are on our own this weekend while Sam is on a trip. She has been making me laugh with her funny ongoing commentary.

This morning she told me Gottis is her "imagination friend".

Tonight she put a blanket on her head and said, "Papunzel, Papunzel, let me come down!". Apparently we need to read that fairy tale again to remind her of the details!

Tonight after I put her to bed, she called me back in after 10 minutes or so. She was sitting up in bed, nightgown hiked up under her armpits and she said, "look at my tummy Mommy, it's so big!".

Also, she won't stop calling me Sally.

Goofball.

A water skiing what?

A couple of weekend ago, Olive and Sam went to a boat show/expo type thing in St Paul.

Self portrait:

What do you think Olive could be preparing to watch here?:

A water skiing squirrel of course:

There he goes:

There was also a fishing pond - $5 got you 7 minutes to see if you could catch a fish and then throw it back:

Lucky girl:

Hugely fake smile with her catch:

Birthday festivities!

Olive's birthday presents, ready for opening:

Video of Olive opening her new fishing rod:

Presents from Nana and Papa:

Knuffle Bunny!:

Pasta dinner:

Chocolate gelato for dessert:

Posing with our 3 year old:

Waiting with Irene for the big co-birthday party to begin at Pump It Up:

Air hockey with Auntie Laura:

Videos of the fun:

Olive and Luna go down the slide:

Uncle Matt and Olive on the big slide:

Even Oscar got in on the fun:

Olive worked hard at perfecting her scream on the slides. With Auntie Jess:

The whole birthday crowd:

Olive's cherry topped cupcake (her request) with pink frosting (Irene's request):

The birthday princesses opening presents in the inflatable throne:

Oh, my girl

Oh, my girl.

My baby.

It is your birthday and today you are 3! 3 years ago you met the world and we met you. You lay blinking in my arms, looking back and forth. Taking it all in. You haven't stopped for a moment since then.

You are the smartest. The kindest. The most thoughtful.

You are the sweetest. The funniest. The best dancer.

You are the cutest. The cuddliest. The best ever.

You are my girl.

My baby.

Happy 3rd birthday, kiddo!